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Their day in the sun
Lowly snails now have a museum to call their own
The new Snail Museum of Thailand |
Story by USNISA SUKHSVASTI
Know these words and phrases
intricate
having many small details that fit together
carnivorous
describing any animal that eats meat
impressive
making you feel admiration
enforcement
making sure that people obey a particular law or rule
incident
something unusual or unpleasant that happens
predictably
as expected
deny
to say that something is not true or nothing to do with you
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Humble creatures like land snails now have a reason to hold their heads high — they've got a respectable museum dedicated to their kind!
Chulalongkorn University has announced a new addition to its museums of natural history. It's called ``The Snail Museum of Thailand''.
Located in the Faculty of Science, the new museum has almost 250 species of these one-footed creatures on display, from the colourful tree snails and the minuscule microsnails (microscopes are available so you can see the details of their intricate shells) to giant carnivorous slugs, alien species and many more.
However, according to Assoc Prof Somsak Panha, leading malacologist and curator of the new museum, those specimens in the showcases are merely a small part of the entire collection. Tens of thousands more specimens, both wet and dried, are kept in the cupboards both at the museum and in his lab ready for researchers to use as references.
Of course, the museum is open to the public too. But it is advised that you make a phone call to Chula's Department of Biology first so they can arrange to have somebody lead you around and explains things. A guided tour will not just make your trip to the museum more fun, but also more eye-opening.
The phone number is 02-218-5375/6.
By the way, if you're going, don't forget to visit the main Natural History Museum, the Insect Museum and the Turtle Museum too. They're all in the same building.
We spotted this sign during our visit to Bang Saen a couple of weeks ago, which explains why we didn't see or hear any stray dogs while strolling along this popular beach. No poops on the pavement, either. (In case you don't read Thai, it says: “Dog-free Zone. Violators subject to 5,000 baht fine.”)
The impressive result is definitely due to strict enforcement of the ban by the Saensuk Municipality, which oversees the beach and surrounding areas, together with coordination from locals, especially the beachside vendors.
If any of the candidates for the upcoming Bangkok Governor election promises to do the same thing for Bangkokians, he/she will definitely get some votes from us.
The item above might give some dog lovers the urge to bark at us, like every time we write about strays. But please keep in mind that we don't hate these “man's best friends”. We just believe that it's not right to have them running around in public places unattended.
The latest of numerous incidences we've seen of innocent looking canines suddenly transforming into dangerous animals happened just a few days ago while we were eating at one of the somtam stalls on the pavement of Narathiwat Ratchanakharin Road
There was a seemingly harmless dog who visited one table after another using pitiful sounds and eye-contact to beg for food. A usual scene, right? Well, read on.
As the dog reached our table it sat very close to us, so close we felt uncomfortable. Then a young couple walked by. (It's a pavement, remember?) With no reason whatsoever and no warning either, the begging dog suddenly rushed off to attack the man. A leg of his jeans was torn because of the vicious bite. Luckily, the fangs didn't reach his flesh.
Then, as if nothing happened, the dog just strolled back to our table, sat on the ground and resumed begging. Of course, we still didn't give it food. But we must admit that we didn't feel safe having that creature hanging around so close.
As for the victim, he made a polite complaint to the somtam vendor who, predictably, denied any responsibility. After all, the dog was a stray so nobody owns it.
Again, a usual scene, right?
Well, see you again the Monday after next. If you wish to contact us, feel free. Unless we're out of town, we'll answer you as quickly as possible.
Our fax number is 02-240-3668. Our email addresses are wildsociety@bangkokpost.net and pongpetm@bangkokpost. co.th.
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The biweekly (once every two weeks) column Wild Society, on the front page of Outlook is a chance for the Nature writers to talk directly with readers. Often they share personal experiences in the outdoors. They also sometimes have opinions, for example, about things that are happening in our national parks. If you are a nature-lover, a hiker or camper you will want to read this column regularly.